This song commemorates the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 when the Scottish Army under Robert I (the Bruce) King of Scots defeated Edward II, King of England. This ended the English rule of Scotland. Ironically in 1603 Elizabeth I died childless and her second cousin James VI, King of Scots, ascended to the English throne, thus gaining by marriage what what force of arms could not.

Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne played together as The Corries for 28 years, until Roy died in 1990.